After three weeks on liquids you will graduate to eating soft or blended foods. These are foods that dissolve easily in the mouth. The key here is to keep the texture and consistency of baby food. Remember your tummy is quite small and does not work as efficient at digestion as your old tummy; you will need to “baby” it for a while.

This phase should included foods that are creamy and smooth, but provide greater variety of foods and more nutrition. Foods should be eaten in small bites chewed well or pureed in the mouth before swallowing.

Protein continues to be a key concern at this stage. You need to have a protein serving at each meal and continue to have at least 3 (15grams) protein drinks a day or 4 (12 grams) Optisource drink containers a day. Can have one Optisource high protein chocolate bar snack as a substitute for one drink a day.

Be sure you’re getting enough liquids between meals and remember to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour to resume fluids, the longer the better.

Compliance to these guidelines cannot be overemphasized in order to avoid negative consequences, discomfort, vomiting, medical complications and emergencies.

Food tolerance or intolerance is very individual and may vary from person to person. Foods that cause problems can be identified and avoided. In her book, “Living a Lighter Lifestyle” by author, Dr. Gaye Andrews, suggests: IF foods seem to cause problems in the beginning it might help to eat the very softest foods first, such as foods that are more liquidity, and then add more solid foods that digest more slowly, to be eaten last. The order would look something like this: jell-o, mashed or creamed potatoes, soft vegetables, and meat. Remember eating proteins first is recommended and important to get in, eating meat last is only suggested if problems occur otherwise.

* Don’t forget the protein shakes and supplements.

Time: You will be on this phase for 3 weeks.

Your portion size: ½ cup

Selections: Select one serving from carbohydrates and one serving from proteins for each meal. It is very important that you choose both protein and carbs; you will need some carbohydrate for energy, so do not skip this. If you do not eat carbs at all, the body will turn muscle into sugar and you will lose hair and muscle.  Your body will also "steal" protein in which to make carbs and sugars, to feed the brain, which depletes your protein efforts. 

Food Items:

Carbohydrates / Vegetables / Fruits

• ¼ cup Oatmeal (smooth is preferable)
• ¼ cup Cream of Wheat
• ¼ cup Grits
• ¼ cup cream of rice
• ¼ cup well cooked pasta
• ¼ cup whipped or very well cooked lima beans, navy beans, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, lentils or split peas
• ¼ Bean pastes like humus
• 2-3 Saltine Crackers 

• ¼ cup acorn squash
• ¼ cup mashed potatoes
• ¼ cup creamed/blended corn
• ¼ cup whipped sweet potatoes
• ¼ cup boiled potato or baked without skin 

• ¼ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup whipped or baby food pears
• ¼ cup whipped or baby food apricots
• ¼ cup whipped or baby food peaches 

• No sugar added yogurts
• No sugar added puddings 

Notes: make sure that cereals, rice and pastas have absorbed as much liquid as possible before eating.

Protein / Meat / Dairy / Eggs

• ¼ cup canned, pureed or whipped turkey, chicken, ham, tuna, (or light fish, such a tilapia) seafood (shrimp or scallops)
• ¼ cup tofu
• Low fat lactose free milk
• Soy milks
• Eggs and eggbeaters
• 1 chopped hard-boiled egg, 1 eggbeaters or 1 egg scrambled
• 1 egg crepe
• ¼ cup low fat ricotta and cottage cheese
• ¼ cup or 1 ounce light or 2% cheese melted 

 Note: Even though you cannot eat red meat yet, you may, however, eat Wendy’s chili.

Miscellaneous

•  All seasonings and spices of any kind
• Light or fat free mayo
• Reduced calorie dressings
• Sugar free drinks (no carbonation)
• butter sprays and cooking sprays